A qualitative case study of the connections between students' funds of knowledge (skills and knowledge that have been historically and culturally developed to enable an individual or household to function within a given culture) and sustained interest in science. They found that a sustained interest in science was fostered by activities that: 1) tie to their perception of their future; 2) integrate culturally appropriate social interactions; and 3) support a sense that students are applying their science in meaningful and useful ways.